Spokane Arts Fund

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena - Military Memorial
Application Deadline: 5 p.m., Monday, January 5th, 2015 (Pacific Standard Time)
Listing: https://www.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=2352
REQUIREMENTS:
Introduction
Spokane Arts Fund, in partnership with the Gold Star Families, the City of Spokane and the Spokane Public Facilities District seeks an artist or artist team to develop a memorial honoring fallen heroes that have served post- 9/11. The memorial will be sited on the south side of the Spokane Arena. The selected artist or artist team will work with Spokane Arts Fund, The Spokane Public Facilities District staff, and the representatives from the Gold Star Families from design through construction of the project. During the design phase, representatives from the Gold Star Families will heavily inform the process.
Scope of Work
The artist will work with Spokane Arts Fund, the Gold Star Families and the Spokane Public Facilities District to develop a permanent public art memorial for the Spokane Arena. The desired artistic approach will create a sculptural plaza that suggests a place where people will gather for a variety of observances and events. The artwork should represent and be inclusive of all Armed Services with particular attention to post 9/11 fallen heroes. It should be a space where people can pay their respects in a quiet way and should present an uplifting message with strong vertical elements that collectively represent the ideas of strength, valor, respect, honor, courage, commitment, sacrifice & determination. The American flag and all service flags should be included. The selected artist will work closely with members of the Gold Star Families group on how to best represent the fallen, with considerations of how to best memorialize individual names, etc.
Artist should strongly consider siting artwork around the semi-circular area at the top of the slope or on the paved plaza area. The bottom of the swale area cannot be impacted by this project in any way. The selected artist should consider ways to connect existing memorials on the site, as well as the use of materials endemic to the area such as basalt and granite, as well as other durable materials that are appropriate for outdoor environments with exposure to harsh climate conditions. All artwork features should be durable and should consider maintenance impacts such as snow removal, potential for vandalism, etc. All artwork should keep in mind the public nature of the plaza and the access routes used by Arena guests to and through the plaza. It is strongly preferred that the selected artist use local companies and fabricators when appropriate. Due to the nature of the project, painted murals or other paint treatments are not appropriate for this project. The selected artist will be expected to travel to Spokane several times over the course of the project to meet with Gold Star Families and community stakeholders, as well as project staff and consultants.
Three finalists will be selected and will be asked to submit concept proposals for the project. Finalists who are not selected will be paid a design fee of $1500 after the proposal review and selection process and upon receipt of an invoice. These three concept proposals will be reviewed by the Gold Star Families, by Spokane Arts Fund and by Public Facilities District staff, as well as by members of the broader community group.
Background
In 2014, the Gold Star Families of Spokane determined that they were interested in creating a public art memorial for their family members and for all veterans and their extended families. They have been meeting with representatives from the City of Spokane and the Spokane Public Facilities District to help define the scope of the project and a potential location. The Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena was selected as a site where the memorial would have most impact and would be appropriately placed.
"Gold Star Mothers" is a term that came into general use with the creation of the service flags used to show that a family had a son in the service (a blue star) or a son that had died in the service (a gold star almost covering the blue star so that a rim of blue still shows). Mothers of slain servicemen came to be known as Gold Star Mothers. You can find more information about Gold Star Mothers here. The Spokane group identifies as Gold Star Families, honoring their loved ones who have lost their lives in military service.
Project Timeline: January – November 2015
January 5th – deadline for application
January 12th – notification of finalists
February 6th – deadline for concept proposal submission
February 13th – unveiling of concepts at open house event
February 27th – selected artist will be notified
March 27th – final design proposal materials due
Summer 2015 - installation
November 11th – Veterans Day dedication event
Eligibility
The call is open to professional artists residing in Washington and Idaho. Due to the complexity and accelerated timeline, experience working in public process is essential. Artists may apply as a team, but the application should clearly describe the contribution of each collaborator. Spokane Arts Fund, Spokane Public Facilities District and the Gold Star Families encourage veterans working as professional artists or as collaborators on an artist team to apply. Artists whose work is well-represented in the city’s collection are eligible to apply, but the artist selection panel will consider artistic diversity as one factor in the selection process. Students are not eligible to apply.
Budget
The total project budget is estimated to be $150,000. The total project budget is all-inclusive of travel expenses, taxes, conceptual design fees for Finalists who are not selected, and other project costs. Contracting will be completed in two phases: design and engineering for $17,000 and fabrication and installation for $130,000. Current Washington state sales/use tax rates apply to all artist contracts issued during the project, regardless of where the artist resides. As of December 5, 2014, the sales/use tax rate is 8.7 percent.
Application Deadline
5 p.m., Monday, January 5th, 2015 (Pacific Standard Time)
Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena - Military Memorial
PO Box 978
Spokane, WA 99210
Applications must include:
Sixteen (16) artwork images.
Letter of interest (see application for specific instructions and length)
Resume
Image Identification List
References
Other questions as specified
Selection Criteria
The artist will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
Demonstrated experience with public art commissions and evidence of completing at least one public art project.
Strength of concept, design and craftsmanship of past works.
The ability to produce durable outdoor art.
A proven ability to collaborate with project staff, design professionals and community stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to complete projects on time and within budget.
Selection Process
The selection will take place in two parts. During the first round of the selection process, a panel of arts professionals, client representatives and community members will review the applicants’ images, qualifications and other materials. The panelists will identify up to three finalists to proceed with concept design and review. The panel will select one artist or artist team to be awarded the commission.
Notification of Results
Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by e-mail in 2015. Spokane Arts Fund, Spokane Public Facilities District and the Gold Star Families reserve the right not to select any of the applicants as Finalists.
We’re here to help
Please contact Laura Becker, Spokane Arts Fund Executive Director, at laura@spokanearts.org or (206) 999-7298.